The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-08-27
TEMPERANCE.
HE WAS AFRAID.

OF the young people were there, and
all thought it q remarkable dinner.
Such beautiful dishes, and not empty
either, but heaped with delicious food.
Several were there whom Jimmy had
never seen before-old friends, Cap
tain Boswell said, whom he CHANGED
to meet in the street, and sailor-like,
he said he 'just towed them into port"
The captain spoke of one as an ''old
chum, out of town, and happening
along, he had been towed into port
Jimmy did not catch the name, but
he liked the mans face. He would
have been still more interested in the
man if he could have heard a con-
versation between this man and his
wife before he left his h me in another
city.
Husband, you'll promise me you
won't touch any liquor while you are
gomez" said the wife.
MARY, l give on my word on that.
You know l have made up my mind
to quit drinking. l shall keep my
word. God help metz
''And you help yourself, too"
'rll try, Mary"
Somehow Jimmy could not keep his
eyes off from this guest at Captain
Buswell's table. Jimmy liked his
handsome face, his very agreeable
manner, his CHEEKY voice. He sat
quite near Captain Boswell, and he
could here distinctly the conversation
between the captain and the hand
some, affable stranger. At last Jimmy
heard the captain say:
"There, 1 almost forgot one thing!
l believe l am losing my memory"
He called aloud 'Bobr" A tall col
lored waiter, whose face Jimmy had
seen several times on the street, sprang
forward to receive the order, briskly,
as if his master had tainted and needed
help.
Bring up a few bottles" Jimmy
heard the captain say. Then the latter
added something about "beer for the
young folks
Jimmy opened his eyes wide. Co
ing to be drinking at that table? What
would Jimmy do? Don't you touch
it, Jimmy" he heard his mother say.
If that mother had understood what a
gauntlet her boys principles must run
at the captains table, she would not
have permitted him to go, though
absence might have offended all the
Buswells between here and Australia.
However, there was Jimmy at the
table, and cheer for the young folks"
was coming. Jimmy was uneasy. He
had felt like very strong Temperance
boy at home; but, somehow. when he
saw the colored waiter slip forward
with the bottles that the captain
ordered, when he heard Charlie Evans
whisper "Goodr' to Bob Tuck at the
sight of the beer, Jimmy's Temper
ance principles began to waver. 1t
was SO much easier at home by his
mothers side, watching from the win
dow that old drunkerd, to be an en-
thusiastic teetotaler. But here! Jimmy's
face redeemed with excitement.
And somehow the stranger looked
Uneasy. Jimmy saw him drop his
fork on the floor, pull his handker-
chief out of his pocket, wipe his face,
hem, blush-plainly the stranger was
embarrassed in view of the bottles.
"Ha! har' said Captain Boswell,
elevating bottle with purple fluid
that gurgled into a dainty wine-glass
next him. 81 must have the pleasure
of filing it myself personally for
you" he said to the stranger. He
handed his neighbor the glass, filled
second for himself, and bid the waiter
to give ga little harmless beer to the
young folks"
What would Jimmy do? He looked
at Steve Ames, another youthful
guest, and Steve looked at him.
Steve took his beer and lifted it to his
lips. What would the stranger do?
Don't touch it, Jimmy heard his
mother saying, and allowed his glass
to remain untouched. The stranger
nervously played with his ne-glass,
while Captain Boswell boisterously
praised his portion, and, smacking his
lips, said he ''must have another"
Hem-m-mn'
1t was the stranger. He had lifted
his glass toward his lips, coughed and
then set it down again. Jimmy's
glass was still untouched.
Jimmy, Jimmy" said Captain Bus
well, patronizingly, "are you not going
to take your beer?"
mo, thank you, sir''
Every body at the ia BILE looked up in
establishment. To think that at the
great Captain Buswell's table just a
boy should refuse what was set before
him!
care you afraid of it, Jimmy?"
The strangers glass was halfway to
his lips. but at this question his hand
halted.
"Yes, SIR rang out Jimmy's an
swer, prompt and bold and clear. The
strangers glass went down so sudden
ly that q part of the wine was spilled
on the table.
Indeed" said the captain. He tried
to laugh, and others joined; but it was
E.. I.